Push Button Controlled Beverage Container Lid

ABSTRACT

A lid assembly including a cover member for attachment to a container, the cover member including a top surface and a side surface extending from the top surface, the top surface including an aperture providing access to contents of the container; an actuating mechanism attached to the cover member and mechanically coupled to a sealing element for sealing the aperture, the actuating mechanism including a first actuator positionable between closed and open positions to move the sealing element to close and partially open the aperture; and a second actuator positionable between closed and open positions to move the sealing element to close and fully open the aperture; and an indicator mechanism provided on the cover member, the indicator mechanism providing a visual indication of which of the first and/or second actuators have been actuated.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is generally directed towards beverage containersand beverage container lids and, more particularly, toward beveragecontainer lids having push button controlled functionality for openingand closing the drinking opening, as well as maintaining the drinkingopening in a partially open or fully open position. The presentdisclosure has particular utility in the consumption of hot and coldbeverages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Beverage containers and lids therefore are commonly sold and are usedfor the containment and consumption of beverages, such as juice, softdrinks, water, coffee tea, etc. Typically, beverage containers willinclude a lid which covers a top opening through which the container isfilled. The lids may be screwed onto the container, snap fit, frictionfit, or otherwise removably attached. The lid is designed to prevent thebeverage from spilling while still allowing the beverage to be consumed.Such containers are often used for holding juice, water, coffee, tea,etc. and are used by persons traveling to and from work or othersituations where the container is subject to motion.

For instance, the lid may have a slot or opening therein that allows thebeverage to be sipped or otherwise consumed from the container. Thedrinking opening may be closed and opened via a variety of mechanisms,including rotating a top portion of the lid to align holes in the topand bottom portions of the lid, depressing push buttons, levers or otheractuating mechanisms, etc. Such lids are often used for hot beverages,such as, for example, coffee, tea, etc., as it is often preferred to sipa hot beverage so that the temperature of the beverage may be determinedbefore a large amount is consumed. If an actuating mechanism is used, auser will typically depress the actuating mechanism to open the drinkingopening and consume the beverage. Releasing the actuating mechanismtypically results in the drinking opening being automatically closed.

Often the drinking opening is only positionable between open and closedpositions. When consuming a hot beverage, however, a person may onlywish to consume a very small amount at first to test the temperature ofthe beverage before consuming larger amounts. An opening that allows toomuch of the beverage to flow from the container may be disadvantageousin that a person's mouth may be burned when first consuming aparticularly hot beverage.

Various problems are associated with prior art drinking containers andlids of the aforementioned type. For instance, in order to keep thedrinking opening open, a user must maintain pressure on the actuatingmechanism. If the actuating mechanism (push button, lever, etc.) isinadvertently depressed or otherwise activated, the drinking openingwill open which may result in spillage. If the opening is too large, aperson's mouth may be burned in trying to consume a small amount of aparticularly hot beverage to test the temperature thereof. Additionally,the provision of metal parts which can corrode may result in amalfunctioning of the lid.

The present disclosure is directed toward overcoming one or more of theabove-identified problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A lid assembly for containers is disclosed herein. The lid assemblyincludes a cover member for attachment to the container, the covermember including a top surface and a side surface extending from the topsurface, wherein the top surface includes an aperture providing accessto contents of the container; an actuating mechanism attached to thecover member and mechanically coupled to a sealing element for sealingthe aperture, the actuating mechanism including a first actuatorpositionable between closed and open positions to move the sealingelement to close and partially open the aperture; and a second actuatorpositionable between closed and open positions to move the sealingelement to close and fully open the aperture; and an indicator mechanismprovided on the cover member, the indicator mechanism providing a visualindication of which of the first and/or second actuators have beenactuated. The partially open position defining a small flow position.The open position defining a large flow position. The first and secondactuators may operate independently of one another.

In one form, the first and second actuators include first and secondpush buttons provided on the side surface of the cover member. With thefirst and/or second push buttons in the closed position the first and/orsecond push buttons are generally flush with the side surface, and withthe first and/or second push buttons in the open position the firstand/or second push buttons are indented from the side surface.

In another form, the indicator mechanism includes a visual indicatorprovided about respective peripheries of the first and second actuators.

In a further form, with the first actuator in the closed position therespective visual indicator is hidden and with the first actuator in theopen position the respective visual indicator is exposed, and whereinwith the second actuator in the closed position the respective visualindicator is hidden and with the second actuator in the open positionthe respective visual indicator is exposed.

In one form, the visual indicator includes color, the color of thevisual indicator being different than the color of the cover member.

In a further form, the first and second actuators include raisedindicators on the surfaces thereof for distinguishing between them bytouch.

A lid assembly for containers is disclosed herein. The lid assemblyincludes a cover member for attachment to a container, the cover memberincluding a top surface and a side surface extending from the topsurface, wherein the top surface includes an aperture providing accessto contents of the container; an actuating mechanism attached to thecover member and mechanically coupled to a sealing element for sealingthe aperture, the actuating mechanism including a first push buttonpositionable between closed and open positions to move the sealingelement to close and partially open the aperture (the partially openposition defining a small flow position); and a second push buttonpositionable between closed and open positions to move the sealingelement to close and fully open the aperture (the fully open positiondefining a large flow position); and an indicator mechanism provided onthe cover member, the indicator mechanism providing a visual indicationof which of the first and/or second actuators have been actuated,wherein the indicator mechanism comprises a visual indicator providedabout respective peripheries of the first and second actuators. Thefirst and second push buttons may operate independently of one another.

In one form, the first and second push buttons are provided on the sidesurface of the cover member. The visual indicator may include color,with the color of the visual indicator being different than the color ofthe side surface/cover member.

In another form, with the first and second push buttons in the closedposition the first and second push buttons are generally flush with theside surface covering the visual indicator, and with the first andsecond push buttons in the open position the first and second pushbuttons are indented from the side surface exposing the visualindicator.

In a further form, the first and second push buttons include raisedindicators on the surfaces thereof for distinguishing between them bytouch.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a push buttoncontrolled lid assembly that permits the drinking opening to be adjustedto different flow positions.

It is a further object of the present disclosure to provide a pushbutton controlled lid assembly that allows an opening in the lid to beopened between small and large flow openings.

It is yet a further object of the present disclosure to provide a pushbutton controlled lid assembly having push buttons that operate in amanner similar to retractable ballpoint pens to adjust the drinkingopening to different flow positions (e.g., small and large flowpositions).

It is still a further object of the present disclosure to provide a pushbutton controlled lid assembly having a visual indicator associated withthe push buttons so that a user may visually see which, if any, of thepush buttons have been activated and, thus, be able to discern the flowposition of the drinking opening.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a push buttoncontrolled lid assembly having raised indicators on the surfaces of thepush buttons enabling a user to distinguish between the push buttons bytouch. This enables a user who is visually impaired to distinguishbetween the push buttons and know which flow position they are openingthe drinking opening to via activation of the respective push button.

Various other objects, aspects and advantages of the present disclosurecan be obtained from a study of the specification, the drawings, and theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further possible embodiment(s) are shown in the drawings. The presentdisclosure is explained in the following in greater detail withreference to exemplary embodiment(s) depicted in drawings. In thedrawings:

FIGS. 1A-B are cross-section and perspective ross-section views of theinventive lid assembly in a closed position showing the internal workingelements;

FIGS. 2A-B are cross-section and perspective ross-section views of theinventive lid assembly in a partially open position showing the internalworking elements;

FIGS. 3A-B are cross-section and perspective ross-section views of theinventive lid assembly in an open position showing the internal workingelements; and

FIGS. 4A-B are perspective views of the inventive lid assemblyillustrating the operation of the visual indicator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the inventive lid assembly, shown generally at 10,attached to a container 12. The container 12 is designed to holdbeverages, such as juice, soft drinks, water, coffee, tea, and the like.The lid assembly 10 may be attached to the container 12 by any means,such as, for example, screw fit, snap fit, friction fit, etc. In apreferred form, the lid assembly 10 is removably attached to thecontainer 12.

The lid assembly 10 includes a cover member 14 attachable to thecontainer 12. The cover member 14 includes a top surface 16 and a sidesurface 18 extending from the top surface 16. The side surface 18 isremovably attachable to the container 12. The top surface 16 includes anaperture 20 formed therein which provides access to the contents (e.g.,beverage) of the container 12.

An actuating mechanism 22 is attached to the cover member 12 at the sidesurface 18 thereof. The actuating mechanism 22 is mechanically coupledto a sealing element 24 for sealing the aperture 20. The actuatingmechanism 22 is activated by a user to move the sealing element 24between closed (see FIGS. 1A-B), partially open (see FIGS. 2A-B), andopen (see FIGS. 3A-B) positions. As used herein, partially open meansthat the sealing element 24 is positioned to let a small amount of fluidflow through the aperture 20, and open means that the sealing element 24is positions to let a large amount of fluid flow (greater than the smallamount of fluid flow) through the aperture 20. As should be appreciated,closed means that the sealing element 24 seals off the aperture 20 sothat no fluid flows there through (with possibly minimal leakage).

The actuating mechanism includes first 26 and second 28 actuatorsmechanically coupled to the sealing element 24. In the embodiment shownherein, the actuators 26, 28 are push buttons and will be referred to assuch throughout. In the embodiment shown herein, the first 26 and second28 push buttons are shown oriented vertically and adjacent to oneanother. However, they may be positioned at various places on the covermember 14, on either the top 16 or side 18 surfaces without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention.

FIGS. 1A-B show the inventive lid assembly 10 in the closed positionwith neither of the push buttons 26, 28 activated. In this position, thesealing element 24 is biased against the aperture by a spring 30.

FIGS. 2A-B illustrate the inventive lid assembly 10 in the partiallyopen position with the first push button 26 pushed in or otherwiseactivated. Pushing in the first push button 26 activates gears 32 and 34and moves the pushing axle 36 against the force of the spring 38. Theaxle 36 contacts and moves the pushing plate 40 causing it to rotate.Rotation of the plate 40 in turns causes various shaft members, showngenerally at 42, to move laterally and angularly, to pull the sealingelement 24 down and out of sealing contact with the aperture 20 againstthe force of the spring 30. The first push button 26 is maintained inthe partially open position shown in FIGS. 2A-B by gears 32 and 34 in amanner similar to that of a retractable ballpoint pen. Thus, a detaileddiscussion is not warranted. With the sealing element 24 in thepartially open position, a small amount of fluid is allowed to flow fromthe container 12. This has particular utility with respect to a hotbeverage, as the user can consume only a small amount of the beverage totest its temperature.

Pushing the first button 26 in again causes the gears 32 and 34 to turnin an opposite direction and allow the spring 38 to move the axle 36back to the closed position moving the first push button 26 back to theclosed position (see FIGS. 1A-B). As the axle 36 moves back, the plate40 will rotate back and the spring 30 will bias the sealing element 24to the closed position (see FIGS. 1A-B).

FIGS. 3A-B illustrate the inventive lid assembly 10 in the open positionwith the second push button 28 pushed in or otherwise activated. Pushingin the second push button 28 opens the aperture 20 in a manner similarto that previously described with respect to activating the first pushbutton 26. Specifically, pushing in the second push button 28 activatesgears 44 and 46 and moves the pushing axle 48 against the force of thespring 50. The axle 48 contacts and moves the pushing plate 40 causingit to rotate. Rotation of the plate 40 in turns causes various shaftmembers, shown generally at 42, to move laterally and angularly, to pullthe sealing element 24 down and out of sealing contact with the aperture20 against the force of the spring 30. The axle 48 causes the plate 40to rotate further than when the plate is contacted by the axle 36, tomove the sealing element 24 further away from the aperture 20 to allowmove fluid to flow from the container. The second push button 28 ismaintained in the open position shown in FIGS. 3A-B by gears 44 and 46in a manner similar to that of a retractable ballpoint pen. Thus, adetailed discussion is not warranted. With the sealing element 24 in theopen position, a large amount of fluid is allowed to flow from thecontainer 12. This has particular utility with respect to a hotbeverage. After a user tests the temperature of the beverage by pushingin the first push button 26, the user can activate the second pushbutton 28 to fully open the aperture 20 and consume the beverage.

Pushing the second button 28 in again causes the gears 44 and 46 to turnin an opposite direction and allow the spring 50 to move the axle 48back to the closed position moving the second push button 28 back to theclosed position (see FIGS. 1A-B). As the axle 48 moves back, the plate40 will rotate back and the spring 30 will bias the sealing element 24to the closed position (see FIGS. 1A-B). To effectuate a good seal, thesealing element 24 may include a gasket element (not shown) made ofrubber or other material to sufficiently seal the aperture 20.

The first 26 and second 28 push buttons are operable independently ofone another. That is, with the first push button 26 pushed in, thesecond push button 28 may be pushed in to move the sealing element 24from the partially open position (see FIGS. 2A-B) to the open position(see FIGS. 3A-B). In this manner, both push buttons 26 and 28 would bepushed in. FIGS. 4A-B illustrate this. With both push buttons 26 and 28pushed in, pushing in the second push button 28 again will cause it tomove to a closed position as previously described and will return thelid assembly 10 to the partially open position shown in FIGS. 2A-B,since the first push button 26 is pushed in. With both push buttons 26and 28 pushed in, pushing in the first push button 26 again will causeit to move to a closed position as previously described, but the lidassembly 10 will remain in the open position shown in FIGS. 3A-B, sincethe second push button 28 is pushed in.

As shown more clearly in FIGS. 4A-B, an indicator mechanism 52 isprovided on the cover member 14 providing a visual indication of whichof the push buttons 26 and 28 are pushed in. In the embodiment shown,the indicator mechanism 50 includes a visual indicator 54 provided aboutthe respective peripheries of the first 26 and second 28 push buttons.As shown in FIG. 4A, when the buttons 26 and 28 are not pushed in, thebuttons 26, 28 are generally flush with the surface of the side surface18. In this position, the visual indicator 54 is generally not visible.As shown in FIG. 4B, when the buttons 26 and 28 are pushed in, thebuttons 26, 28 are indented from the surface of the side surface 18.When the buttons 26, 28 are indented, the visual indicator 54 isgenerally visible. In this manner, a user can easily visually see which,if any or both, of the push buttons 26 and 28 are pushed in anddetermine open/closed status of the aperture 20. To provide ease ofvisual indication, the visual indicator 54 is a different color thanthat of the cover member 14 and, preferably, a color that stands out(e.g., a neon color).

As shown on the various figures, raised indicators may be provided oneach of the push buttons 26 and 28 to assist visually impaired people indistinguishing between the buttons 26, 28 by touch. In the embodimentshown, the first push button 26 has one raised indicator 56 providedthereon, while the second push button 28 has two raised indicators 56provided thereon. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate thatvarious configurations of indicators distinguishable by feel, such asraised, indented, surface texture, etc., may be implemented withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It is contemplated herein that the various elements of the lid assembly10 be made of a hard plastic or other polymer material (a possibleexception is the springs 30, 38 and 50, which may be made of a metallicmaterial). Such materials are durable and resilient and are well suitedfor the beverage container industry. However, other materials may beutilized for all or any the components described herein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Additionally, in one form, the various internal elements of the lidassembly 10 may be closed off in the lid assembly 10 such that they donot come into contact with the contents of the container 12.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerousmodifications and variations of the described examples and embodimentsare possible in light of the above teachings of the disclosure. Thedisclosed examples and embodiments are presented for purposes ofillustration only. Other alternate embodiments may include some or allof the features disclosed herein. Therefore, it is the intent to coverall such modifications and alternate embodiments as may come within thetrue scope of this invention, which is to be given the full breadththereof. Additionally, the disclosure of a range of values is adisclosure of every numerical value within that range.

1. A lid assembly comprising: a cover member for attachment to a container, the cover member including a top surface and a side surface extending from the top surface, wherein the top surface includes an aperture providing access to contents of the container; an actuating mechanism attached to the cover member and mechanically coupled to a sealing element for sealing the aperture, the actuating mechanism comprising: a first actuator positionable between closed and open positions to move the sealing element to close and partially open the aperture; and a second actuator positionable between closed and open positions to move the sealing element to close and fully open the aperture; and an indicator mechanism provided on the cover member, the indicator mechanism providing a visual indication of which of the first and/or second actuators have been actuated wherein the first and second actuators comprise first and second push buttons provided on the side surface of the cover member.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The lid assembly of claim 1, wherein with the first and second push buttons in the closed position the first and second push buttons are generally flush with the side surface, and with the first and second push buttons in the open position the first and second push buttons are indented from the side surface.
 4. The lid assembly of claim 1, wherein the indicator mechanism comprises a visual indicator provided about respective peripheries of the first and second actuators.
 5. A lid assembly comprising: a cover member for attachment to a container, the cover member including a top surface and a side surface extending from the top surface, wherein the top surface includes an aperture providing access to contents of the container; an actuating mechanism attached to the cover member and mechanically coupled to a sealing element for sealing the aperture, the actuating mechanism comprising: a first actuator positionable between closed and open positions to move the sealing element to close and partially open the aperture; and a second actuator positionable between closed and open positions to move the sealing element to close and fully open the aperture; and an indicator mechanism provided on the cover member, the indicator mechanism providing a visual indication of which of the first and/or second actuators have been actuated, wherein the indicator mechanism comprises a visual indicator provided about respective peripheries of the first and second actuators, and wherein with the first actuator in the closed position the respective visual indicator is hidden and with the first actuator in the open position the respective visual indicator is exposed, and wherein with the second actuator in the closed position the respective visual indicator is hidden and with the second actuator in the open position the respective visual indicator is exposed.
 6. The lid assembly of claim 5, wherein the visual indicator comprises color.
 7. The lid assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second actuators include raised indicators on the surfaces thereof for distinguishing between them by touch.
 8. A lid assembly comprising: a cover member for attachment to a container, the cover member including a top surface and a side surface extending from the top surface, wherein the top surface includes an aperture providing access to contents of the container; an actuating mechanism attached to the cover member and mechanically coupled to a sealing element for sealing the aperture, the actuating mechanism comprising: a first actuator positionable between closed and open positions to move the sealing element to close and partially open the aperture; and a second actuator positionable between closed and open positions to move the sealing element to close and fully open the aperture; and an indicator mechanism provided on the cover member, the indicator mechanism providing a visual indication of which of the first and/or second actuators have been actuated, wherein the first and second actuators operate independently of one another.
 9. A lid assembly comprising: a cover member for attachment to a container, the cover member including a top surface and a side surface extending from the top surface, wherein the top surface includes an aperture providing access to contents of the container; an actuating mechanism attached to the cover member and mechanically coupled to a sealing element for sealing the aperture, the actuating mechanism comprising: a first push button positionable between closed and open positions to move the sealing element to close and partially open the aperture; and a second push button positionable between closed and open positions to move the sealing element to close and fully open the aperture; and an indicator mechanism provided on the cover member, the indicator mechanism providing a visual indication of which of the first and/or second actuators have been actuated, wherein the indicator mechanism comprises a visual indicator provided about respective peripheries of the first and second actuators, wherein the first and second push buttons are provided on the side surface of the cover member.
 10. (canceled)
 11. The lid assembly of claim 9, wherein the visual indicator comprises color.
 12. A lid assembly comprising: a cover member for attachment to a container, the cover member including a top surface and a side surface extending from the top surface, wherein the top surface includes an aperture providing access to contents of the container; an actuating mechanism attached to the cover member and mechanically coupled to a sealing element for sealing the aperture, the actuating mechanism comprising: a first push button positionable between closed and open positions to move the sealing element to close and partially open the aperture; and a second push button positionable between closed and open positions to move the sealing element to close and fully open the aperture; and an indicator mechanism provided on the cover member, the indicator mechanism providing a visual indication of which of the first and/or second actuators have been actuated, wherein the indicator mechanism comprises a visual indicator provided about respective peripheries of the first and second actuators, wherein with the first and second push buttons in the closed position the first and second push buttons are generally flush with the side surface covering the visual indicator, and with the first and second push buttons in the open position the first and second push buttons are indented from the side surface exposing the visual indicator.
 13. The lid assembly of claim 12, wherein the visual indicator is a different color than that of the side surface.
 14. The lid assembly of claim 9, wherein the first and second push buttons include raised indicators on the surfaces thereof for distinguishing between them by touch.
 15. A lid assembly comprising: a cover member for attachment to a container, the cover member including a top surface and a side surface extending from the top surface, wherein the top surface includes an aperture providing access to contents of the container; an actuating mechanism attached to the cover member and mechanically coupled to a sealing element for sealing the aperture, the actuating mechanism comprising: a first push button positionable between closed and open positions to move the sealing element to close and partially open the aperture; and a second push button positionable between closed and open positions to move the sealing element to close and fully open the aperture; and an indicator mechanism provided on the cover member, the indicator mechanism providing a visual indication of which of the first and/or second actuators have been actuated, wherein the indicator mechanism comprises a visual indicator provided about respective peripheries of the first and second actuators, wherein the first and second push buttons operate independently of one another.
 16. The lid assembly of claim 5, wherein the indicator mechanism comprises a visual indicator provided about respective peripheries of the first and second actuators.
 17. The lid assembly of claim 5, wherein the first and second actuators include raised indicators on the surfaces thereof for distinguishing between them by touch.
 18. The lid assembly of claim 8, wherein the indicator mechanism comprises a visual indicator provided about respective peripheries of the first and second actuators.
 19. The lid assembly of claim 8, wherein the first and second actuators include raised indicators on the surfaces thereof for distinguishing between them by touch.
 20. The lid assembly of claim 12, wherein the first and second push buttons include raised indicators on the surfaces thereof for distinguishing between them by touch.
 21. The lid assembly of claim 15, wherein the first and second push buttons include raised indicators on the surfaces thereof for distinguishing between them by touch.
 22. The lid assembly of claim 15, wherein the visual indicator comprises color. 